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Little Company of Mary Hospital Foundation will host the Crystal Heart Ball on Saturday, February 1, 2014, at the Field Museum. The event also showcases individuals and organizations for their outstanding accomplishments and service. This year, the hospital will honor one of Metropolitan Chicago’s well-known humanitarian groups and an outstanding department at Little Company of Mary Hospital.

This year’s Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian Award will be presented to Kendall Ciesemier, founder of Kids Caring 4 Kids. Kendall is a suburban Chicagoan, who is currently a sophomore at Georgetown University. In 2003, Kendall adopted a child through World Vision using her own savings of $360. That summer, as she underwent two liver transplants, Kendall asked that in lieu of gifts, friends and family donate money to help other children in Africa. With their generosity, Kendall sponsored the village of Musele, Zambia. As the word spread of Kendall’s efforts to kids across the country, she was able to raise more than $15,000 by the summer’s end. She decided to officially organize the effort calling it “Kids Caring 4 Kids” (KC4K). In January 2005, KC4K officially became a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Today, it has received nearly $900,000 in donations. Kendall is now championing a national campaign to raise $1 million and to involve more than 10,000 students in providing hope and care to African children in need.

This year’s Sister Nancy Boyle Award for Excellence honoree is Little Company of Mary’s Dr. Kuhn Hong, who is currently on a medical mission in Ethiopia for the next three years at Myungsung Christian Medical Center in Addis Ababa. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Hong has visited more than 20 countries for short-term medical mission trips, including Haiti, Honduras, North Korea and many countries in Africa, providing medical examinations to many people who have never received medical care. As a man who likes to combine his many talents and put them to amazing use, Dr. Hong has not only provided medical aid to these various countries, but has also sketched and painted his experiences along the way. His artwork has been featured throughout the hallways of the hospital and in various publications, including The Atlantic, Chicago Medicine and Today’s Christian Doctor. Dr. Hong retired from Little Company of Mary Hospital in June after 24 years as the Medical Director of Nuclear Medicine.

Matt and Mary Ellen Filosa will chair this premier fundraising event with co-chairs Dr. Thomas and Daine Quinn. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception followed by a gourmet meal prepared by Blue Plate Catering as well as dance the night away to the musical stylings of the Indigo Orchestra. Attendees will have exclusive access to the featured exhibit: Opening the Vaults: Wonders of the 1893 World’s Fair. A cash raffle will be offered with a grand prize of $15,000 as well as a second prize of $5,000, third prize of $2,500 and fourth prize of $1,000. Raffle tickets are on sale for $100 each in the foundation department and winners do not have to be present.

The Crystal Heart Ball tickets are $300 per person and proceeds will benefit Values. Vision. Innovation: The Campaign for Little Company of Mary Hospital. Guests may purchase a Diamond table for $7,500, a Heart of Gold Table for $5,000 or a Crystal Heart Table for $3000, each offering special benefits. Please contact the Little Company of Mary’s Foundation department to purchase your event tickets at 708.229.5447 or visit http://www.lcmhfoundation.org/events.